Both these sides are still chasing a Champions League spot. The Saints have been solid at home this season and narrowly lost the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane. With just a point separating the sides in 6th and 7th, neither can afford to lose any ground in their push for Europe’s top competition.

Palace have been a rejuvenated side since Alan Pardew took over and he has steadied them into mid-table. Steve Bruce’s Hull are fighting for their Premier League status and are on 28 points in 17th, so a loss for them will make things very difficult in the run in and they can easily slip back into the bottom three depending on other results this week.

The Swans have had an impressive season and barring a disastrous final five games they should easily finish in the top ten. There isn’t much to say about Newcastle’s shambolic season. The Toon Army should stay up given they are seven points above the relegation zone, but they will want the end of the season to come as quickly as possible to rebuild for next campaign.

The first of two London derbies this weekend. Sam Allardyce has done a fine job of keeping West Ham in mid-table this season and will be expecting another tough game this weekend. QPR are in the relegation slog and sit 19th, so Chris Ramsey needs his side to take all three points here. Loftus Road is never an easy place to go and this one could be fiery with so much at stake for The R’s.

Mark Hughes will be pushing his side to finish as high as possible in the league in the remaining five games. Sunderland are definitely in the relegation fight and on 29 points need to put some distance between them and the four sides below them.

West Brom look as if they have done enough to retain their Premier League status for next season. This game has far more importance for Liverpool and after their disappointing FA Cup semi-final performance last weekend at Wembley they have to keep the pressure on Manchester City in fourth if they stand any chance of playing Champions League football next season.

Tim Sherwood has bought Villa back from the dead this season and has now guided them to the FA Cup final, which nobody would have predicted. He clearly has the dressing room behind him and looks as if he should keep this side up. By stark contrast, Manuel Pellegrini’s season has gone from bad to worse. His City side are now fighting to keep a Champions League place when they should be fighting for the title. Although this should be a City win it could be the surprise result of the weekend.

Manchester United could finish the weekend in second place if Sunday afternoon’s game between Arsenal and Chelsea goes their way. Louis Van Gaal has got his side playing well and they will be force next season. Roberto Martinez’s side will be disappointed with their season and finishing mid-table is not what they would have been hoping for. The Europa League was clearly a distraction and we can expect to see a better Everton side again without it next campaign.

This is the standout fixture of the weekend but we can’t be expecting too much from this game. Jose Mourinho has never lost to Arsene Wenger as Chelsea boss and given how defensive his side have been over the last few weeks we can expect them to set up not to lose. Any chance Arsenal have on challenging Chelsea for the title lays on this game, but it looks a little too late.